Olivia and Alex Bowen say Love Island isn't fake

Last week, Winter Love Island contestant Leanne Amaning revealed on her Youtube channel that she was asked to make her break-up with Mike Boateng more dramatic. She said that whilst Islander interactions weren’t scripted, some scenes were set up and certain ‘storylines’ pushed.

However, former Islanders Olivia and Alex Bowen have defended the show from criticism, claiming that they ‘were never told to say anything.’ Olivia acknowledged that things might have changed since their series in 2016 but insisted to Digital Spy that the show was ‘nothing but good to us’.

Alex said:

The only time things were changed is, say me and Liv had a conversation in bed and I was lying on my mic but it was a good conversation for TV, they'd say 'can you just say what you said again but by the fire pit or just off your mic'. But you've already said it, we were never told to say anything or produced.

Is Love Island fake?

Love Island was previously accused of ‘prompting’ contestants’ conversations by 2017 Islander Tyla Carr. A Love Island spokesperson said at the time:

It is absolutely untrue to suggest Love Island is fake. The opinions they have and the relationships formed are completely within the control of the Islanders themselves… Any produced elements are designed to allow viewers to understand what the Islanders are feeling and to help move narrative threads on.

Alex and Olivia Bowen’s relationship

Alex and Olivia are one of the most successful Love Island couples ever as they are still going strong nearly five years on from when they first met in the villa. They got married back in September 2018 and have even discussed plans to start a family in the not-too-distant future.